ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Indian Collaborative Research in Antarctica
India collaborates with Norway and Japan in Antarctic Research. A major Indo-Norweigian collaborative field campaign, near Indian Maitri station, was undertaken during 2016–2019 to understand the ice shelf dynamics, mass balance and reconstruct past changes in atmospheric and sea ice dynamics under the joint project “Mass balance, dynamics, and climate of the central Dronning Maud Land coast, East Antarctica ”. Under this project, geophysical field measurements, ice core drilling, snow core drilling, ice-sheet modelling and satellite remote sensing-based studies were conducted to understand the future Antarctic contribution to the global sea-level rise.
An Indo-Japanese project “Schirmacher Oasis Nippon  India Coring ”was initiated during 2019 to reconstruct the past-climate. 15 sediment cores, ranging from 1 m to 8 m, were retrieved from various lakes of Schirmacher Oasis by the team for analysis.
Five scientists from National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research , Goa have participated in the Indo-Norwegian project and two scientists from NCPOR and one scientist from the Manipal University are involved in the Indo-Japanese collaborative project.
This information was given by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
After a serious injury, few challenges are more urgent than stopping life-threatening bleeding. Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology , an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, have developed a starch-based ‘hemostat’ material that concentrates the natural clotting factors in blood by physically absorbing excess fluid.
The biodegradable microparticles that combine to form a gel on a wound offer significant improvements over existing alternatives.
The early-stage development of the material has been published in the journal Materialia, and Dr. Deepa Ghosh and her colleagues who worked on it hope to develop a versatile, potentially life-saving, and inexpensive product that would be a more realistic solution for lower-income economies worldwide.
The product has increased absorption capacity, improved absorption, inexpensive, biocompatible as well as biodegradable.
Hemostat materials absorb excel fluid by concentrating the natural clotting factors in the blood that are critical for stopping the blood flow; however, the bleeding can restart when non-biodegradable materials are removed.
By chemically modifying natural starch to form microparticles, Dr.Ghosh’s team has combined the advantages of biocompatibility and biodegradability with a five- to ten-fold increase in fluid absorption and much-improved adhesion. When the microparticles combine, they create an adherent gel that can remain on the wound until slowly dissipating as healing proceeds.
The microparticles are prepared by modifying some of the chemical hydroxyl groups on starch to carboxymethyl groups while also incorporating the beneficial calcium ions, which encourages the aggregation of red blood cells and platelets and their activation to generate the fibrin protein network that forms a stable blood clot. This modification increases the ability of the molecules to interact with water. This is the basis of its impressive ability to absorb fluid from the blood and hence concentrate the clotting factors.
The microparticles of the product, known as 'calcium-modified carboxymethyl-starch,' swelled up to form a cohesive and adherent gel within 30 seconds after contact with blood in lab tests
Dr. Ghosh said that the few starch-based biodegradable options are currently available are limited by their relatively slow fluid absorption and poor adhesion to wounded tissues. Besides, being rigid, imperfect biocompatibility are problems encountered in currently available options.
“Presently, no single hemostatic agent exists that can work in all situations,” said Dr. Ghosh. She added that current hemostat materials are very expensive and available mostly in developed countries.
In animal studies with real wounds, moderate to heavy blood flow was stopped in less than one minute. The animal studies also indicate that the material is non-toxic and confirmed its biodegradability.
Dr. Ghosh added, “These encouraging results suggest our modified starch microparticles are a very promising candidate for further exploration in clinical applications”.
Special Service and Features
HLL pays Rs. 122.47 Crores as Dividend to the Union Government
HLL Lifecare Limited  a Mini-Ratna PSE has paid a dividend of Rs 122.47 Crore to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India for the financial year 2021-22.The cheque for this amount was handed over to Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare by Shri K.Beji George, IRTS, C&MD, HLL, in the presence of Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State, MoHFW at a function held at Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi. Dr Rajesh Bhushan IAS, Secretary-Health, Shri T. Rajasekar, Director , Dr. Geeta Sharma, Director  and Dr Anitha Thampi, Director , HLL and other senior officials of Ministry and HLL were present during the occasion.
HLL registered a record turnover of Rs 35,668 Crore and a Profit Before Tax of Rs.551.81 Cr during the year 2021 – 22.
Appreciating HLL and its employees' support during the pandemic, Dr. Mandaviya said, “HLL has played an important role in the procurement and distribution of emergency medical supplies supporting the Union Health Ministry for Covid– 19 pandemic management. “As a nodal agency, HLL has enabled real time management of the crisis”.
Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State congratulated HLL for their achievement and also lauded its efforts during the pandemic.
Shri K.Beji George conveyed his sincere thanks to the Ministry for reposing confidence in HLL and also for the support extended by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and by various departments of Government of India.
NS
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Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Achievements of NSIC
The National Small Industries Corporation Limited , a Public Sector Enterprises under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  provides integrated support to MSMEs under marketing, technology, credit and other support services such as facilitation of raw material requirement by making arrangements with bulk manufacturers for procuring the materials and supplying the same to MSMEs, credit support for raw materials procurement, tender & consortia marketing and technical assistance to MSMEs and registration of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  under its Single Point Registration Scheme .
The details of entrepreneur orientation programmes conducted by NSIC during last five years are as under:
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Year
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No. of Programmes
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No. of Participants
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2017-18
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574
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50448
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2018-19
|
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117
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6798
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2019-20
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110
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8977
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2020-21
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14
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1021
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2021-22|
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22
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1571
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|Upto January 2022
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||
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The details of achievement of NSIC Technical Services Centres during last five years are as under
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Year
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No. of Trainee’s Trained
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No. of MSME Served
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2017-18
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36437
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5915
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2018-19
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41201
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8132
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2019-20
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54624
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9438
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2020-21
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33527
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8906
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2021-22|
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27254
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7996
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|Upto 27 January 2022
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||
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This information was given by Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Narayan Rane in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Railways
Blueprint for Increasing Speed of Trains
The average running speeds of trains on railway systems depend upon various factors, such as, type of track structure, signalling systems, motive power, type of rolling stock, network congestion, etc. Some of the international railway systems, such as the Shinkansen in Japan and the TGV system in France, have dedicated networks of high speed railway lines with maximum speeds over 300 Kmph. The average running speeds of all categories of trains across different railway systems abroad are not compiled. Indian Railways has a heterogeneous system with freight trains and passenger carrying trains being operated on common tracks, with a very high level of capacity utilization. During the financial year 2019-20, the average speed of premium trains  was above 70 kmph, Superfast trains was above 55 kmph, Express services was above 50 kmph and that of freight trains was 24 kmph. However, during the current financial year, i.e. 2020-21, the average speed of freight trains has increased to 46.71 kmph.
With a view to increasing the speeds of trains and ensuring timely running of trains including goods trains, Indian Railways has initiated several measures for upgrading the infrastructure, modernizing the rolling stock and for streamlining operations. The blueprint for increasing the speeds of trains on Indian Railways include the following:
- Increasing the track speeds on trunk routes to 130 Kmph.
- Enhancing the speed potential of Golden Quadrilateral and its diagonal to 160 Kmph. Accordingly, 160 Kmph projects on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah sectors are already sanctioned.
- Discontinuance of manufacturing of Integral Coach Factory  design coaches with Maximum Permissible Speed of 110 Kmph and enhanced manufacture of Linke Hofmann Busch  coaches with Maximum Permissible Speed of 160 Kmph.
- Introduction of modern signaling system such as Train Collision Avoidance System , etc.
- Accelerated removal of Permanent Speed Restrictions, construction of Road Over Bridges and Road Under Bridges to eliminate level crossing gates.
- Replacement of conventional trains with Mainline Electric Multiple Units .
- Right powering of trains especially freight trains.
- Zero Based Time Tabling to remove inefficiencies in the time table, uniform allocation of maintenance and traffic allowances, compaction of train running and creation of separate freight corridors to increase the speed of Freight trains.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Improved, heavy rare earth-free, low-cost magnets for EV vehicles could reduce mobility costs
Scientists have fabricated improved low cost heavy rare earth-free high Nd-Fe-B magnets, which are in high demand for Electric Vehicles and can make them more affordable.
More than 90% of EVs use brushless DC  motors made up of rare earth Neodymium Iron Boron  magnets. Since its discovery by Sagawa in 1984, the Nd-Fe-B magnet has been one of the most sought-after permanent magnetic materials for many applications due to its exceptional combination of magnetic properties.
Nd-Fe-B magnets used in EVs operate at high temperatures of 150 – 200oC and need to exhibit high resistance to demagnetization, a capability that pure Nd-Fe-B magnets do not have. Hence Dysprosium  metal is added as an alloy to improve the resistance to demagnetization. World over, researchers are trying to enhance coercivity  of Nd-Fe-B magnets without the addition of costly Dy. A strategy adopted by the research community to enhance coercivity is to enrich the region between the grains of the Nd-Fe-B magnet with “non-magnetic” elements through suitable heat treatments .
Recently, scientists from the Centre for Automotive Energy Materials at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials , an autonomous Research and Development Centre of the Department of Science and Technology , Govt. of India, have enhanced the coercivity of Niobium -containing Nd-Fe-B melt-spun ribbon by grain boundary diffusion process  using a low melting point alloy of Nd70Cu30 which acts as the source for the “non-magnetic” element. They have reported restricted grain growth during grain boundary diffusion due to the precipitation of Nb, which facilitates the enrichment of Copper  at the grain boundaries aiding the increased resistance to demagnetization of Nd-Fe-B powders. The coercivity value of 1 T at 150oC critical for automotive applications achieved in this research published in Materials Research Letter could be a useful strategy to develop magnets without Dy for EV applications.
ARCI has ventured into setting up of pilot plant for manufacturing of near net shaped Nd-Fe-B magnets through a major project funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board  in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission of the Government of India, and the above strategy will be explored for the magnets manufactured in the pilot plant.
The new strategy could also be used for commercial production of Nd-Fe-B magnets in India, reducing imports that meet the major requirements of the automotive sector.
Publication link: https://doi.org/10.1080/21663831.2022.2104139
For more details, please contact Dr. D. Prabhu at dprabhu[at]arci[dot]res[dot]in.
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SNC/RR
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Prime Minister's Office
PM to release Manuscript with commentaries by 21 scholars on shlokas of Srimad Bhagavadgita on 9th March
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will release 11 Volumes of Manuscript with commentaries by 21 scholars on shlokas of Srimad Bhagavadgita on 9th March 2021 at 5 PM at Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi. J&K Lt. Governor Shri Manoj Sinha and Dr. Karan Singh will also be present on the occasion.
Srimad Bhagavadgita: Rare multiple Sanskrit commentaries in original calligraphy
In general the practice with Srimad Bhagavadgita is to present the text with a single commentary. For the first time, many of the key commentaries by celebrated Indian scholars are being brought together for achieving a comprehensive and comparative appreciation of Srimad Bhagavadgita. The Manuscript, published by Dharmarth Trust, is written with extraordinary variety and nuance of Indian calligraphy ranging from Shankar Bhashya to Bhasanuvada. Dr Karan Singh is the Chairman Trustee of Dharmarth Trust, J&K.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Rajkumar Hirani’s ‘PK’ now in NFAI Collection
It is wonderful to add PK in our collection, because it was shot on celluloid: Director NFAI
Mumbai, 06th July, 2021
National Film Archive of India  has announced a significant addition of the original camera negative of Rajkumar Hirani’s film PK  in its collection. Hirani is one of the major contemporary Indian filmmakers who has carved a niche for himself through his distinct filmography over the years. Rajkumar Hirani today handed over the original camera negative of his 2014 film PK to Director NFAI, Prakash Magdum, in Mumbai.
“It was important to preserve the negative and I am very happy that it would be preserved in NFAI at Pune. It is the duty of a filmmaker to ensure that the films are preserved and I appeal to all filmmakers to support NFAI in this important cause,” said Rajkumar Hirani on the occasion.
Director NFAI, Prakash Magdum, said, “We are happy to continue our association with Mr Hirani as his earlier acclaimed films are also being preserved at NFAI. It is wonderful to add PK in our collection, especially because it was shot on celluloid.” The transition from celluloid to digital in terms of production of films in India happened during 2013-14. Therefore, it is all the more important to have this film for preservation, Magdum added.
Apart from the original camera negative, about 300 cans consisting of rushes of PK and outtakes of 3 Idiots film were also handed over for preservation. A huge paper material consisting of posters, lobby cards and photographs of films directed by Hirani would also be handed over to NFAI.
Hirani, an alumnus of FTII, is known for his light-hearted take on tackling social issues through his films and provide a new perspective on contemporary issues. The original Negatives of Rajkumar Hirani‘s earlier films like Munnabhai MBBS , Lage Raho Munnabhai  and 3 Idiots  are already being preserved at NFAI.
Written, edited and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, PK is a wonderful political satire on Indian society. Co-produced by Hirani along with Vidhu Vinod Chopra, PK, also happens to be one of the last few films to be shot on celluloid in India. Commenting on superstition, PK, with the quirky titular character of an alien, tries to make sense of the world around, in an eccentric but endearing way.
DL/PM
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Prime Minister's Office
PM’s greetings to everyone, especially Tamil people on the auspicious occasion of Puthandu
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed his greetings on the occasion of Puthandu to everyone and especially to Tamil sisters and brothers.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"Puthnadu greetings to everyone, especially my Tamil sisters and brothers.
May the coming year be marked with success and happiness. May all your aspirations be fulfilled. May everyone be happy and healthy."
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Prime Minister's Office
PM Shares aerial coverage of Ground and Air display captured from indigenously developed Medium Altitude Long Endurance TAPAS UAV
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared aerial coverage of Ground and Air display captured from indigenously developed Medium Altitude Long Endurance TAPAS UAV during rehearsal from height of 12000 feet.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba to lead IDY celebrations on 21st June 2022 from GOL Gumbaz, Vijayapura, Karnataka
GOL Gumbaz selected as one of the 75 Iconic Sites for nationwide Observation of 8th edition of IDY
On the occasion of the 8th International Day of Yoga , Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will lead the Yoga Day observation from Mysuru Palace, Mysuru, Karnataka.
In the spirit of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav as the country celebrates 75th year of independence, International Yoga Day celebrations will be held at 75 prominent Heritage spots across the country. GOL Gumbaz, Vijayapura, Karnataka is one of them. Sh Bhagwanth Khuba, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers will lead the yoga celebrations from GOL Gumbaz, Vijayapura, Karnataka on 21st June 2022. Apart from Mysuru, Halebeedu, Hampi, Pattadakal and Vijayapura are some other sites in Karnataka where the International Yoga day celebrations will be held.
The International Day of Yoga  is celebrated on 21st June every year worldwide. This year, the 8th edition of IDY will be organised in India and across the globe on the theme of ‘Yoga for Humanity’ which was announced by Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat address. Hon. PM’s address will be live streamed on DD National and other DD Channels from 6:40 am to 7:00 am. A Digital Yoga Exhibition at Mysuru will be organised to showcase highlights and achievements of all previous editions of International Day of Yoga.
The theme 'Yoga for Humanity' reflects the vital role played by Yoga during the pandemic in promoting physical and emotional wellbeing. Observance of IYD projects ‘Brand India at Global Stage’ while showcasing its iconic places. A custom made 45-minute protocol namely, Common Yoga Protocol  has been prepared and a mass demonstration will be organised.
This year, one of the major highlights of the IDY observation will be the ‘Guardian Ring’, whereby the yoga celebrations happening across the world will be relayed throughout the Yoga Day. “The Guardian Ring” underlines “One Sun, One earth” concept and denotes the unifying power of Yoga.
The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated on 21st June 2015. The IDY resolution of the United Nations General Assembly  in December 2014 came at the initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and was passed by unanimous consent.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
National Fellowship for OBCs
In so far as disbursal of fellowship under National Fellowship scheme for Scheduled Castes , National Fellowship Scheme for OBC  and National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities  being run by this Ministry is concerned, there has been disbursal of fellowship payments till November 2022 in case of NFSC, till September 2022 in case of NFOBC and NFPwD to the eligible scholars.
It is a fact that till September, 2022, National Fellowship for Scheduled Castes and for Other Backward Classes was being implemented through UGC. However, under the revised procedure for release of funds through Central Nodal Agency , NFSC and NFOBC schemes are now being implemented by National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation  and National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation  respectively w.e.f. 1st October, 2022. Further, Rs.85.00 crore has been released to the concerned implementing agency for disbursement of fellowship to the NFSC beneficiaries during 2022-23 and Rs. 45.84 crore has been released to the concerned implementing agency for disbursement of fellowship to the NFOBC beneficiaries upto 3rd quarter of 2022-23. The central assistance is released to implementing agencies viz. NSFDC in case of NFSC and NBCFDC in case of NFOBC on quarterly basis.
Disbursement of Fellowship under National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities  scheme is done through Canara Bank’s Scholarship web portal .
This information was given by The Minister of State Social Justice and Empowerment Shri A. Narayanswamy in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Welfare of Fishermen
 during 2019-20 stood at Rs.1,26,370 crore  constituting 0.95 % to the national GVA and 6.42% of the agricultural GVA.
The Fisheries Research Institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research  have been upgrading their infrastructures based on research and developmental needs from time-to-time. Besides, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and other schemes, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has been supporting holistic development of Fisheries Sector including welfare of fishers in the country. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has no such proposal for establishment of Fisheries Council of India for general welfare of fishermen including insurance schemes for their health.
Some stretches of India’s shoreline are subject to varying degree of erosion due to natural causes or anthropogenic activities. The coastal erosion does impact coastal communities residing in the erosion prone areas including fishermen communities. The national shoreline change assessment mapping for Indian coast carried out by the National Centre for Coastal Research  using 28 years of satellite data from 1990 to 2018 revealed that 41% of coastline of Kerala is subject to varying degree of erosion. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme; Blue Revolution Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries implemented during the period from 2015-16 to 2019-20 provided financial assistance to Rs.93.84 crore for implementation fishermen welfare related activities including construction of fishermen houses. Besides, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana  being implemented with effect from 2020-21, a sum of Rs. 50.89 crore has also been provided to the Government of Kerala for implementation of welfare related activities including livelihood and nutritional support to socio-economically backward active traditional fishers family.
This information was given by The Minister of Fisheries , Animal Husbandry Dairying Shri PARSHOTTAM RUPALA in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.